Sunday, September 19, 2010

Ear Infection in Your Pet. Written by Dr. Tan Eng Khim, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Medical Centre (VET@RV) Pte. Ltd.

website-
http://www.VETatRV.com/

Ear infection (Otitis) is common in both dogs and cats. Some signs of otits include ears-scratching, head-tilting, inability to open jaw fully and smelly ears with discharge.



Otitis is usually caused by overgrown of bacteria. In Singapore, yeast and mite infection are very common. The ear canal in your pet is an inverted "L". When an infection occurs, the shap/anatomy of the ear canal acts as an incubator for organism to grow.

It is importnat to use an otoscope to check that the ear drums are intact. Many ear cleaners such as those which contain propylene glycol and carbamide peroxide have been reported to be ototoxic when the ear drums are not intact. I advise against using products containing them if you are uncertain whether the ear drums are intact! I will also do ear smears and look under the microscope to find the causative organism of the ear infection.

Checking the type of organism which triggers the ear problem is important. For example, there are many different type of bacteria, and by looking under the microscope, the basic group of bacteria that is causing the problem can be pin-pointed. This will then allow presciption of appropriate medications to treat the ear problem. Inappropriate antibiotic usage may cause bacteria resistance and may possibly create superbig infects.

Otitis is a common condition which generally can be cured, painlessly and quickly, with early diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Tan Eng Khim,
Veterinary Surgeon
Animal Medical Centre (VET@RV) Pte. Ltd. (http://www.VETatRV.com/)
BSc (Vet Bio), BVMS (Murdoch);
MRCVS(U.K.);
BSc merit (Microbiology/Comp Prgm) NUS;
Cert Wildlife Utilisation (Pretoria);
S'pore Veterinary Association, Hon. Editor (2009-2011);
S'pore Society of Microbiology and Biotech (Ord. Member).

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